Disease has two hubs – Annette Scott:
Cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has been in New Zealand for at least two years and is spread wider than first thought, Southland veterinary clinic Vet South says while Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says there are now two infection hubs.
The Winton practice sent an email to clients on Thursday urging people whose stock or properties might have been linked to Southern Centre Dairies to come forward.
Southern Centre Dairies, the hub of infected properties in Southland, is owned by Gea and Alfons Zeestraten.
Vet South director veterinarian Georgette Wouda said Ministry for Primary Industries surveillance work indicated the disease was limited to a relatively small group of farms but more needed to be known.
“Down in our region all of the infected properties to date have links with Alfons Zeestraten’s farms. . .
Lamb and wool marketers confident – Sally Rae:
Farmers visiting Alliance Group’s tent at the Southern Field Days had mostly one burning question — how long could lamb prices be sustained.
And the response? “We feel market fundamentals around the world give us some confidence,” chairman Murray Taggart said.
The North Canterbury farmer acknowledged that his position was a “bit easier” than what it was when he first took on the role.
The mood among farmers was “pretty positive” and, despite climatic conditions, he was “really chuffed” with market prices.
“You’ve done a bloody good job,” a long-time shareholder told Mr Taggart on the way past, but Mr Taggart said the company was not resting on its laurels. . .
Momentum grows in understanding of farming, farmers – Sally Rae:
Federated Farmers national president Katie Milne believes there is real momentum building for farming — “and in the right way”.
The straight-talking West Coast dairy farmer — who last year broke a 118-year history of male leadership of the rural lobby organisation — has been at the Southern Field Days in Waimumu this week.
Joking that she had left her partner unsupervised around the many machinery sites, she helped a Federated Farmers team to victory over FMG in a tug-o-war competition.
Ms Milne, who is known for her down-to-earth and no-nonsense approach, said the leadership role was “really exciting” and it was a privilege to be a voice for farmers. While she knew it was a big job, it had surprised her the places that she ended up and the people she had met.
It had been somewhat of a baptism by fire, with the general election being held straight after she came into the role. . .
Honey season better but patchy – Richard Rennie:
With parts of Northland and Bay of Plenty grappling with major rainfall while parts of Taranaki and Otago remain parched, honey producers are reporting mixed results for the season’s honey collection.
Comvita, one of the country’s largest honey producers, has already informed investors this season has been a successful one, largely thanks to more favourable conditions in December and January.
However, severe weather in early January hit Northland and Waikato hard at a critical flowering period, pushing yields down towards a more average season.
Comvita chief executive Scott Coulter told investors if the above-normal temperatures remain for the rest of this summer, Wairarapa, Whanganui, East Coast and Hawke’s Bay are expected to have an above average season. . .
Big toy has price tag to match – Sally Rae:
If you’ve got a spare $625,000 sitting in the wallet, then a Fendt 1050 tractor could be just the ticket.
The world’s largest conventional tractor was attracting plenty of interest at JJ Ltd’s site at the Southern Field Days.
There are only three of the 500hp tractors — described by JJ’s staff as being in a “class of its own” — in New Zealand, two demonstrator models and one that had been bought by a North Island contractor. . .
NZ Well Positioned to be global player in alternative protein market – producer:
Eco conscious millennial consumers are reshaping demand for alternative sources of protein according to the country’s largest manufacturer of vegetarian foods.
Mark Roper spokesperson for Life Health Foods – which makes plant based Bean Supreme and recently launched Alternative Meat Co. products, says growing concern for the environment is leading this demographic to seek out other options to integrate into their diet.
A nationwide survey commissioned by the company has found that millennials aged 18-34 are the most likely demographic to adopt a mostly meat-free lifestyle in the next decade. . .
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